— The Port Authority's idea to institute a competition for designs to improve the Waterfront sets a great example. As far as we know this is the first time any such competition has been organized. It is rare in the Virgin Islands that we utilize competitive bidding, much less an actual competition for a concept, design and construction. We hope it works well — and if it does, we hope to see more of it.
— In the "did we hear you right?" category, we were surprised by the unqualified acclaim heaped on Jeffrey Prosser's remarks at the recent annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, especially his criticism of business people being afraid to speak out when something is wrong. In many instances, of course, Mr. Prosser is right; business people hold their tongues in the face of wrongdoing or mismanagement because they fear reprisal. But we also recall a St. Croix businessman last year saying that when he publicly opposed the so-called "Prosser land-for-tax-breaks deal," Mr. Prosser's Virgin Islands Community Bank threatened him with foreclosure on his mortgage.
— And speaking of fear, we wonder what the banking board was trying to do with the unprecedented restrictions placed on the VICB acquisition of Chase Manhattan Bank. If they had such serious concerns, why approve the deal at all? We think it's typical of the politically motivated half-measures that happen all the time in our community.
— Big thanks to Public Works for the additional mirrors we are seeing at different intersections around the island – in particular at the three-way intersection at Misgunst and Hull Bay Road and across from the big tree by Mafolie's Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. These mirrors have made travel across the twisting, turning intersections much safer. But one request to Public Works: Please check the angles of all the mirrors, including the one at the Mafolie Hotel turnoff, to make sure they’re properly aligned. Some aren’t.
— What happened to all the white collar crime and public corruption prosecutions that were promised several months ago by Attorney General Iver Stridiron and U.S. Attorney James Hurd? It's no wonder the general public is cynical and without faith in "the system."
— We know we’re not the only ones who think Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II comes across like a spoiled, immature child by refusing to go to the St. Croix Government House rededication ceremony because he didn’t get enough tickets. If he wanted to draw the line in the sand with the governor over policy differences, we wish he had picked a more substantive issue. Tickets to a ceremony? Get a grip!